Waterproofing of materials



used for the first impre Io Drawing.

Patented Dec. 16, 1930 UNIT-E31). STATES WALTER A. BBIDGEIAN, OI OWEGO, NEW YORK, ASSIG I NOB Tb THE WILBUB WHITE CHEMICAL 00., OF OWEGO, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK warmnoormo or mammals This invention relates to a rocess for waterproofing materials, particularly textile fabrics, and to a composition for use in such a process.

The invention broadly comprises impregnating the materialto be waterproofed first with an emulsion of a normally solid fat in an aqueous soap solution containing an aromatic phenol, and second with an aqueous solution of a salt of aluminum. The invention is also directed to the novel compositions ation.

'The following examp e will illustrate one method of carrying out the present invention:

Sufiicient soap is dissolved in water to give a one-half to one and one-half per cent soap solution, the percentage depending on the particular soap used, such as ordinary neu- 'tral soap chips or the sodium salts of stearic or oleic acids. To obtain the best results the hydrogen ion concentration should be adjusted by about pH 7.6. This can be done for instance, by using dilute solutions of caustic soda and acetic acid.

One-half per cent of phenol or cresol is now added to the soap solution. The solution is warmed to about 40 to C. and suificient melted fat added to it in a fine stream to give an emulsion with a fat content of about 6 per cent. Suitable fats for this purpose include oleo-stearine, or beef or mutton tallow.

An emulsion made by the above method, using neutral soap chips and oleo-stearine, has a creamy appearance and has no odor other than that imparted by the one-half per cent of phenol.

For waterproofing cloth of any kind the cloth is either dipped in the above described emulsion, the emulsion bein preferably at a temperature of about 40 or the emulsion is a plied to the cloth by brush or s onge. When t e cloth is thoroughly. soaked t e excess emulsion is either wrung out or allowed to run off, and the cloth while still wet is then dipped immediately into a 3 per cent solution of 1ron-free aluminum sulphate.

The second operation precipitates the fat used into the fibresof the cloth, together with Application filed April 17,

. soap solution contaimng an aromatic p 1828.: Serial mi. 270,807.

the Cphenol and an aluminum salt of-the soap use for the emulsification. Obviously the ATENT OFFICE.

aluminum sulphate maybe replaced by other water soluble salts ofaluminum;

Since theemulsion used'in this r ocess contalns about 6 per cent of iemulsi edyfatarnl only to 1%. per cent of'soap,onlyfa ver y 5 reci ,1'-., tated on the cloth. If large quantities aluminum soa s are recipitated'on theiclothfw small percentage of aluminumsalt is there is a ten ency or these salts too'xidiz e. and thls is undesirable in case the fabric treated has already been dyed. By using the A composition of the present invention any bad eflect from the oxldationi of thealuminum salts of the fatty acid is reduced to a minimum. by the small amount precipitated.

The presence of an aromatic phenol, such as phenol or cresol, in the above described emulsion is very important. The phenol has a three-fold function.

1. The free tallow or other fat on the cloth is prevented from becoming rancid and decomposin by the germicidal action of the phenol. asmuch as the phenol, as well as the tallow, is impregnated into the ve fibres of the cloth, the objection to the use 0 tallow or a similar fat is thus overcome.

2. The henol is eflicacious in protecting the cloth om mildew, for instance, when the waterproofing process is applied to canvas which might come into contact with the ground.

3. The third advantage in the use of phenol is that it has a penetratin power far in excess of that of ordinary ta low or fat, and in consequence it assists 1n carrying the actual waterproofing agent into the center of the fibres; in other words, it insures complete impregnation.

It will thus be seen that the present invention comprises a composition of matter for use in conjunction with a precipitant, such as aluminum sulphate, for the waterproofing of materials, particularly textile fa rics, said composition comprising an emulsion of a fat, soli at ordinary temperatures, in an a ueouls eno such as phenol and cresol, and a process of waterproofing materials, particularly textile fabrics, which com rises successivelyimpregnating the materia with an emulsion of an ordinarily solid fat in an aqueous soap solution containing an aromatic phenol, and with an aqueous solution of an aluminum salt, such as aluminum sulphate.

I claim:

1. As a new product, a composition of matter suitable for use in conjunction with aluminum sulphate for the waterproofing of tex-,

tile fabrics whichcomprises an emulsion of a fat, solid at ordinary temperature, in an aqueous soap solution containing an aromatic phenol.

2. As a new roduct, a composition of matter suitable or use in conjunction with aluminum sulphate for the waterproofing of textile fabrics which comprises an emulsion of oleo-stearine in an aqueous soap solution containing phenol.

3. As a new product, acomposition of matter suitable for use in conjunction with aluminum sul hate for the waterproofing of textile fabrics which comprises a six per cent emulsion of oleo-stearine in an aqueous soa solution containing from one-half to one ans one-half per cent of soap and one-half per cent of phenol.

In testimon whereof,I aflix m si nature.

' W TER A. BRID :rE N. 

